Politics
Monarch Drums Support For Wike
A former Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Council of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Oforibokakaka War Canoe House of Bolo Kingdom, Chief Marshall Da-Ockiya Oforibokakaka has enjoined the people of Rivers State to support the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike-led administration on his New Rivers Vision and developmental strides so as to continue to enjoy the dividends of good governance and democracy.
Chief Oforibokakaka, who made the call in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt said Governor Wike had performed creditably well by providing infrastructures in all the nooks and crannies of the state and for being proactive against insecurity among others.
According to him, Wike’s desire to transform Rivers State to its former Garden City status is on course even at the grassroots, describing him as truly, Mr Project and detribalised governor of the people .
He noted that the transformation agenda would make greater impact with all hands on deck and reiterated his call on all to support and pray for him to achieve his vision for the state.
Chief Oforibokakaka noted that no development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancor, acrimony and wrangling, stressing that with all hands on deck, he was optimistic that the monarch would use his wealth of experience to move the kingdom forward and give everybody a sense of belonging despite political and religious affiliations.
He also called on the elites of Bolo Kingdom to support the chiefs by calling their attention to any development in the community that they consider capable of slowing down progress and growth and advised that hate speeches stop forthwith as the unity and development of Bolo Kingdom should be the focus of all sons and daughters of the area.
Collins Barasimeye
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.